Rhodesia (1965-1980)

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Rhodesia (formerly the British self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia) was an independent country ruled by an almost entirely European government from 1965 to 1980. In 1970 the country became a Republic.

Independence

When the less-developed Northern Rhodesia was granted independence by Britain on October 24, 1964, it changed its name to Zambia; Southern Rhodesia remained a British colony, its government opposing attempts to allow native Africans who were not professionals or possess land the vote or participation in the government. At loggerheads with the socialist British government, who said they would enforce universal "one man one vote", on 11th November 1965 the Southern Rhodesian government declared independence under Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith and changed its name to Rhodesia. The Governor, Sir Humphrey V. Gibbs (1902-1990), no longer had any executive powers and he was asked to vacate Government House. He was deprived of his official car, his telephone was cut off and the impedimenta of his offices were removed. Harold Wilson, Britain's Far-Left Soviet-sympathising Prime Minister, declared the Unilateral declaration of Independence an illegal act. Sanctions were immediately put in motion against Rhodesia and she was barred from the Commonwealth Preference areas of trade.

Government and politics

The government of Rhodesia operated on a model brought from the British Empire, the same system upon the United States was founded, wherein only a limited number of educated, property owning people could participate. Although the majority Africans may not have been afforded the right to participated in government, due to the fact that the majority of Africans would not attain property ownership or the required level of education. Anglo Rhodesians recognized that racial differences existed in terms of Intelligence Quotient and motivation which would impact the standard of living. It was understood that to maintain a high standard of living, the Anglo minority should maintain control of the government and of business, and this was done through a merit based system.

While an understanding of racial differences affected government and industry, Rhodesia had no formal system of apartheid. Rhodesians regularly employed black Africans in their homes and businesses, even serving in the armed forces together. While racial differences in standard of living existed, as a matter of policy a large amount of resources and time were dedicated to raising the local black Africans standard of living alongside the Anglo Rhodesians.

Monday Club

The most important of all supporters of Rhodesia in the United Kingdom was the Conservative Monday Club, who had a special "Rhodesia Emergency Committee". The Club sent delegations to Rhodesia where they were guests of Ian Smith and other cabinet ministers, and were fully briefed on the situation there. In London the Club held pro-Rhodesia demonstrations and hosted numerous events for Clifford du Pont, Ian Smith and others, as well as arranging for them to meet with sympathetic Members of Parliament in both houses.

Rhodesia's name was changed to Zimbabwe in April 1980 after the Marxist African terrorist Robert Mugabe came to power.

The population in 1990 was estimated to be 9,369,000.[1]

Prime Ministers of Rhodesia

Presidents of Rhodesia

Political parties in Rhodesia

European population by year

Between 1966 and 1972, 37040 Europeans arrived in Rhodesia.

Other populations

  • 1963: 4,050,000 African natives; 18,800 Coloureds; 7,200 Asians.
  • 1972: 5,490,000 African natives; 17,800 Coloureds; 9,600 Asians.

Birth rates 1963-1972

  • Natives: 52,000 births per annum, with 16,000 infant deaths. Net increase 36,000 p.a.
  • Europeans: 18,000 births per annum with 7,000 infant deaths. Net increase 11,000 p.a.
  • Coloureds: Net increase 4,900 p.a. (other statistics unavailable).
  • Asians: 22,000 births per annum with 5000 infant deaths. Net increase 17,000 p.a.

Sources

  1. ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica, Micropaedia, 15th edition, vol.12, Chicago, 1990, p.917.
  • Davies, D.K., Race Relations in Rhodesia 1972-3, London, 1975.
  • Reed, Douglas, The Battle for Rhodesia, Cape Town, 1967.
  • Young, Kenneth, Rhodesia and Independence, Eyre & Spottiswood, London, 1967.
  • Ward, Harvey, Sanctions Buster, Glasgow, 1982.
  • Wessels, Hannes, P. K. van der Byl, African Statesman, Johannesburg, 2010, ISBN 978-1-920143-49-7
  • Smith, Ian Douglas, The Great Betrayal, London, 1997, ISBN 1-85782-1769
  • Hutson, Major-General H. P. W., CB, DSO, OBE, MC, Rhodesia - Ending and Era, London, 1978, ISBN 0-9059-4785-1
  • Biggs-Davison, John, M.P., Africa - Hope Deferred, London, 1972, ISBN 0-85307-090-3
  • Lewis, Rev., Arthur R., Too Bright The Vision, London, 1972, ISBN 0-85205-021-6

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